Issue 5: Toxic-Free Throughout the Rest of Your Home
Wrapping up toxic-free cleaning
This week we're wrapping up ways to keep your home clean and free of toxic cleaning products. There are some simple ways to keep your home clean that don't involve using chemicals at all.
Just Throw Them Out
Carpet Deodorizer:
When I was growing up my mother would use carpet deodorizer before she vacuumed. I remember very strong floral scents that made me sneeze and smelled horrendously fake. Throw out your carpet deodorizer! They're full of fragrance, obviously. They build up in the carpet. Then when you walk around or your babies crawl on the carpet, it gets absorbed through your skin and inhaled by noses close the the floor. Not nice.
Alternative:
If you have pets, it might be necessary to use something on your carpet. I get that. Plain baking soda will absorb smells. Sprinkle it on the carpet and let it sit for 30 min before vacuuming it up. If you want a scent, drop 10-20 drops of pure essential oil into the baking soda, shake, and then sprinkle on the carpet.
Note: this works for mattresses and upholstered furniture as well!
Carpet Shampoo:
Similar to concerns with carpet deodorizer, carpet shampoo can be highly toxic and not something you want to breathe in or have in your carpets. Choose wisely here and read your labels. You should have a good idea of what to avoid now.
Alternative:
When I absolutely have to wash my carpets, which I try to avoid (no shoes indoors and no pets), I use a product called Nature's Miracle. It's not great, but it's not as horrible as some. I also do it on a warm day so I can open all the windows and I rinse it very well with my carpet shampooer. I'll link it and the shampooer below. One day I won't have carpets at all, but until then I do what I can.
Dusting Spray/Wood Polish:
Another product I've found no use for is dusting spray. Pledge Furniture Spray, Lemon Clean is full of many of the chemicals we've covered in previous issues AND it has major environmental concerns such as poor biodegradation. It comes in an aerosol can and contains propane and butane. I wouldn't want this sprayed in my home.
Alternatives:
A Swiffer Duster works great. I've even purchased a reusable one that I can wash and I love it. I'll link it below.
Bonus: kids can get in on this action without any risk of chemical exposure.
For washing wood, I find that a gentle soap and warm water work just fine. My all-purpose spray also works fine. If you wash wood this way:1. Make sure you do a small test patch first.. Make sure you do a small test patch first.
Make sure you do a small test patch first.
Dry it completely with a clean dry rag afterwards.
General Cleaning:
Use the all-purpose spray and a clean cloth. It works for most messes.
Air Fresheners and Scented Candles:
Seriously. Stop reading and go throw these away now. Okay. Air fresheners and scented candles are heavily perfumed with toxic fragrance. I don't know how people's noses don't automatically reject these scents; I can't even walk down the candle aisle at the store. What's worse is that most air fresheners come in an aerosol can. Candles and air fresheners don't even clean your space, they just pollute it more and cover up smells.
Alternatives:
Beeswax candles are the best for your health. They have a light natural scent.
Open up your windows and let the outside air in. Clear out your home with fresh air.
Diffuse pure essential oils in a diffuser. I have a nebulizer diffuser that doesn't use water and contains no plastic. I'll link one below, as well. It works wonderfully.
DIY Room Spray. I use this recipe for my bathrooms. It works better than store bought products because it doesn't make the air toxic and I can customize it to whichever scent I like.
Recipe for Room Spray:
2 oz glass spray bottle, dark colored to protect the oils from breaking down
1/2 oz vodka or rubbing alcohol
A pinch of non-iodized salt: not sea salt or mineral salt, it needs to completely dissolve or it will clog your sprayer
8-10 drops of essential oil
1 oz water
Add salt to the spray bottle and drop oils into bottle on top of the salt. Let sit one minute. Add in alcohol and shake. Add in water, shake again. Shake before use, as well.
If you'd like some scent suggestions for your diffuser or room spray, let me know in the comments.
Links to Products:
These are affiliate links, so even though it doesn't change your cost, it does provide me with a commission if you purchase.
Duster: https://amzn.to/2XWQxBP
Carpet Shampooer: https://amzn.to/3zGryPO
Carpet Shampoo: https://amzn.to/3AMiDxL
Plastic-free Nebulizing Diffuser: https://amzn.to/39G3uCb
Thank you for reading along! If there is any area of your home you still need help with, please reach out.
In the coming weeks we're going to take a close look at personal care products.
See you then.
-Angel